PIERRE-JOSEPH REDOUTE. French painter of flowers (sometimes called the “Raphael of Flowers”) and lithographer.
Autograph Letter Signed, full page, quarto, December 10, 1811.
To Aimé Bonpland, Josephine’s botanist, enclosing a bill that you have been asking me for so long a time, but I dont at all remember what you spent yourself because I didn’t write it down. I am well aware that you paid for the last stopover in Rouen, that you paid for the carriage … and that you advanced me some money. I don’t know why ….
Pierre-Joseph Redouté was a Talleyrand of the arts working first as a flower painter and drawing master to Marie Antoinette, then serving Josephine, Marie Louise and various members of the restored Bourbon dynasty, including the Duchesse de Berry and Queen Marie-Amélie. Redouté first helped Josephine with the interior decoration at Malmaison, then the decorations for the principal greenhouse. In the course of his work he developed his own techniques for reproducing plates in color. Although Josephine never saw Les Roses, the Napoleonic legend was taking shape and those who associated the memories of Josephine with the greatness of France, found in the beauty of Redouté’s plates a symbol of what they believed her to have been. Together with three pieces of correspondence signed for Pierre-Joseph Redoute by his brother. Fine condition.
Framed in green, rust and gilt, with a hand colored picture of Malmaison. Framed dimensions: 15 inches wide by 22 inches high.
Price: $12,500
This item is associated with the following category in our inventory:
- Art
